The best Christmas gifts for people who love to travel

Accessories

I-blossom blusher

This nifty no-mess powder blush, which has the properties of coconut oil that help to soften skin, comes with a mirrored-bottom and a stamp-style soft sponge applicator convenient for a quick touch of colour on-the-go. It comes in three shades of peony, rose and tulip to suit a range of skin tones.

Certified organic lip and cheek creme

Made with skin-nourishing jojoba and almond oils, as well as vitamin E, this smooth and versatile cream offers vibrant, long-lasting pigment on your lips and cheeks while providing moisture. It even works well as a light eye shadow for a touch of shimmer - making it an easy, all-in-one item to meet all of your face makeup needs on your travels.

Glowing radiance aroma roller

Ila’s aroma rollers are designed to provide a lighter alternative to traditional perfumes as well as restorative and therapeutic effects. This newest addition is made from an infusion of essential oils including rose otto sourced from roses picked in the foothills of the Himalayas that provide an uplighting fragrance and help restore hormonal balance. The portable roll-on stick is ideal for a quick, no-spill application and burst of energy wherever you are.

Lancome soleil bronzer

This water-resistant sun cream, with an SPF of 30, provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays as well as a moisturising effect, made with vitamin E and a broad sun ray filter system. The silky and light cream is also infused with a lovely delicate perfume scent and its thin-sized container is great for travelling.

Gear and kit

Nobis Luna Parka for women

Made by a Toronto outfitter using 100 percent Canadian duck down, this good-looking jacket offers a rare combination of style as well as technical materials designed to make it waterproof, windproof, very warm and breathable, with a detachable feather-filled hood.

Arctic Apres Slip-On for women

It’s the boot you didn’t think you needed, but end up using for everything. This new model, with a rugged sole and cosy fleece lining, is the ideal pull on/pull off shoes convenient for camping when your feet are tired and your toes are cold.

Helly Hansen Duffel Trolley

This style of waterproof, virtually indestructible bag has become must-have kit for all expeditions. The hitch is these carry-alls can get heavy – except for this hard-wearing 30-litre model with compression straps, an extendable handle and wheels.

Wilderness Systems RIDE 115 Kayak

Wilderness Systems produces a range of sit-on-top kayaks, but this one stands out for its radical versatile design, which means it can be paddled, pedalled or powered by an engine. Despite being a short boat, it offers impressive stability with great maneuverability as well as tracking through the water. This makes it an ideal gift for first-time kayakers.

SunGod sunglasses

SunGod allows you to build your own customised sunglasses online, with interchangeable lenses, frames and arms. Incredibly durable, they come with a lifetime replacement guarantee if you manage to break them. A fraction of the cost of other high-end sunglasses, these are a great buy for the beach or on the slopes under the winter sun.

Patagonia Storm Front Pack 30L

This 100 per cent waterproof dry sack, even when fully submerged under water, allows you to travel in water, even in the roughest of conditions, knowing your gear is safe. Its comfortable backpack fitting means you can carry it while paddle-boarding or during difficult water crossings.

Columbia Men's OutDry Extreme Gold Insulated Jacket

This extreme weather jacket features an abrasion-resistant, waterproof membrane exterior, virtually eliminating the risk of it getting completely soaked. Its goose down internal lining remains dry and warm even in the most miserable conditions. Ideal for trails, skiing and harsh Scottish winters.

The MSR Trail Lite Duo cook set

This is a superb addition to the MSR range of stoves and cook set, featuring two deep dish bowls and a matching pair of double-wall insulated mugs that all fit into a ceramic non-stick pan. The incredibly lightweight set makes cooking on-the-go a pleasurable experience rather than a challenge.

Gifts for travel-savvy kids

Giraffe pillow

Ideal for children aged two to seven or eight, this pillow has seen my family through many long car journeys – it’s just the size for small necks and heads, even in car seats, it’s reasonably priced, and rather sweet.

Travel chess set

To keep children aged five to 10 entertained en route, give the gift of chess. But first, you’ll have to explain the rules – and there are few more entertaining ways to do that than with Mark Price’s new book, The Foolish King (£10.99). Lord Price, longtime MD of Waitrose, wrote this interactive story (there’s an accompanying app) to teach his daughter how to play chess, and it leads children through the rules and moves of chess via a witty and entertaining story, which is beautifully illustrated by Martin Brown, of Horrible Histories fame. This travel set is appealingly small – each piece is smaller than a pound coin – and it’s magnetic, essential on trains and planes.

Flyte case scooter

Aimed at children aged two to eight, you can’t go wrong with the Flyte case scooter. It’s a great way to keep reluctant walkers on the right track through the airport – though do teach them the rules of the road. [Happy note to parents: while a Trunki will involve you doing the heavy dragging, as your child rides, scooter suitcases will see you board your flight with no back pain.] Flyte’s lightweight, soft case has just enough space for a child’s holiday wardrobe for a week, and the metal scooter base folds neatly into the case for easy overhead storage – or check-in. If your child is a responsible scooter, this will change your life – and they’re far cheaper than micro scooters. Larger versions will be available from winter.

Map puzzles

Janod’s double-sided jigsaw round world map puzzles feature charming details of the people and animals you’ll find in each continent. This is a great way to get primary-aged children to understand the importance of every part of the planet.

World scratch map

And for older kids – or more intrepid families – forget your Facebook travel map and dedicate a bit of wall space to documenting where you have been as a family. The deluxe version of the classic World Scratch Map offers greater details below when you scratch off the gold leaf to reveal the countries you’ve visited.